Art

KS3

Throughout Key Stage 3 Art and Design, all students will experience a dynamic and broad Art curriculum, encompassing the full range of core skills including marking making, colour and paint, composition, 3 dimensional design and construction and mixed media, all reinforced with extensive critical study. The emphasis is on individual development through experimentation and practice, building upon skills and gaining greater confidence as students’ progress through Years 7 to 9.

Year 7

During Year 7 all students are taught within an Art, Design and Technology framework, currently named Project 7. This new initiative is designed to provide a wide range of learning experiences across the Art and Design Technology departments, whilst further strengthening cross curricular links. Students explore different areas of the Art, Design and Technology curriculum, together with experience of Business and Enterprise and Media study on a rotational programme. They also develop their Personal Learning and Thinking Skills, culminating in a year filled with a range of stimulating projects leading to quality outcomes.

Year 8

Year 8 Art study builds upon the strong foundations developed during Year 7. A wide range of exciting starting points lead to imaginative and highly original outcomes. Much contemporary art is discussed and students gain great appreciation from art which is grounded in their current culture. The emphasis is upon developing visual language and becoming more self aware and independent, communicating ideas whilst covering a range of concepts and themes. There will be opportunity to work in many different media, increasing skills and making informed choices as projects develop.

Year 9

The culmination of Key Stage 3 allows students to further demonstrate their growing understanding. Advancement in skills and the depth of thinking and quality of outcomes will be evident as a range of exciting themes are explored. There will be substantial evidence of visual understanding, decision making and problem solving and final outcomes will display a real awareness and connection with concepts covered. Again, a wide range of critical starting points, covering the vast spectrum of art and design will inspire, resulting in thorough investigative preparatory work and exciting final pieces.

GCSE Art

Reasons for studying Fine Art

Fine Art develops visual awareness, creative skills and aesthetic judgement. You will gain practical experience in the visual language of colour, tone, line pattern, shape, texture, form and 3 Dimensional construction, as well as gaining a knowledge of important Artists and Designers.

Fine Art is an important subject for future careers in Architecture, Teaching, Design of all kinds, Illustration, Fashion, TV and Film, Animation, Computer Graphics etc. It also provides ideas and skills for creative leisure.

What you will be studying

How you will learn

You will be expected to work independently, researching a subject, learning about it through drawing in a variety of media and showing evidence of study and personal interpretation. The basic skills of drawing, painting, construction and printmaking will be taught as the Core Activity. Then you will be allowed the freedom to develop your ideas using appropriate materials and techniques. You will be required to study the work of Artists/Designers in order to develop your own work further. Much of this work will involve experimentation of techniques and developing ideas in sketchbooks.

How you will be assessed

Portfolio of Work (60%)

Sheets of drawings / studies in a variety of media
Completed paintings / sculptures / prints with supporting studies to show the development of ideas leading to the final outcome
Sketchbooks / workbooks on a theme / subject showing detailed studies / ideas for future developments including in-depth critical study of the work of Artists and Designers
An investigation of a visual concept or these e.g. colour, pattern and shape to further skills, knowledge and understanding

Externally set task (40%)

Task paper issued by AQA from 1st January of year of examination with unlimited preparation time and 10 hours supervised time.